Spa and the City

When was the last time you went to a spa or beauty salon?

If it’s anything like me, it’s ages. What with uni work, house work, blogging work and eating, I barely have time to take the heavily chipped polish off my nails let alone go into town and get a fresh manicure from a professional.

I just don’t have the time, or do I?

Last week, I was reading the latest issue of Blogosphere Magazine when my focus turned to the interview with their cover star Casey Neistat. Youtuber and entrepreneur, Casey is one of those superhuman people who wakes up at the crack of dawn for a daily run, has his own successful business and spends time with his family, all on as little as 4 hours sleep! However, the thing that stuck in my mind was that between setting up for the interview and the photoshoot, Casey got right back on his laptop sending emails and completing other jobs. Basically, he doesn’t waste a minute of his time.

Now obviously I’m not saying that sort of lifestyle is feasible for everyone, especially me who needs at least 9 hours rest and regular feeding otherwise I’m completely non-functional but what it did make me realise is that if Casey can do all of that in one day, then I can certainly make time to fit in more beauty treatments.

This isn’t just about vanity either, taking just half an hour getting your nails painted or shoulders massaged is important for your mental wellbeing and personally having that small change of scenery and a break from work is exactly what I need.

So last week, I popped down to the Metquarter in Liverpool city centre and said hello to Urban Calm. One of the top North West beauty destination, Urban Calm is the perfect spa hideaway that offers a relaxing break from the daily grind of city life. It’s like they read my mind!

First up was a head, neck and shoulder massage. Bliss. Pure, incredible bliss.

You know when you have a pet and they keep nudging for strokes and they look so relaxed you think damn isn’t that the life, wish I was a cat? Well I reckon having a massage is like that except even better because a masseuse can help identify and target those particularly stressed points. Oh and if you have ever worried your hair is too greasy don’t worry. Due to the hand motions on your hair, your scalp will naturally produce more oils any way so do not fear if the only shampoo your hair saw that morning was the dry version.

Next up was an On The Move Manicure, in just 15 minutes (very lunchtime friendly), my nails were filed into pretty little squovals and painted a shimmering rose gold. By the way, little factoid for ya, the squoval is the most chosen nail shape and I have to say it does feel nice to finally be part of the popular club! Squovals are so fetch.

Check out the gorgeous green sparkles Jessi from www.jessiloublog.com got!!

Finally, I got my eyebrows threaded. I used to get my eyebrows professionally done years ago but after they refused to grow in the sparse areas, I disowned them and left them to their own devices. Turns out the treat them mean, keep them keen method was not the best option, as they just taunted me by growing wild and ruly in all the wrong places. Not wanting to accept defeat, I decided to start going for regular threading appointments. The specialist informed me most people have a more defined arch on their left brow and it’s all about getting the right one to buck up it’s ideas and follow in it’s footsteps. This is definitely the case for me, just a little tidying and my left brow looks like an architectural frame peaking over my glasses making me look intelligent, whilst my right is like a lazy slob lying straight on the sofa.

However, after minimal pain and a little cry, I am now the proud owner of some pretty swish brows. In between my appointments, I have also been advised to gently tap along my eyebrows for a couple of minutes each night as this will help stimulate blood flow and hopefully fill in those bald patches.

Three treatments and less than an hour later, I felt refreshed, revitalised and the most presentable I’ve looked in a very long time. I certainly plan to go back and squeeze in a lunchtime massage, potentially after a waxing appointment which I have decided to leave to the professionals after an unfortunate mishap that left me with hardened wax in unmentionable places for days because I was too chicken to complete the process. Certainly not a relaxing experience.

So I’m going to be a little more superhuman and while that may not mean more work and exercise, having some overdue me-time involving a beauty treatment or two is a lot more fun.

9 Comments

It is definitely important to make time to pamper yourself and treat yourself to nice things! It’s been so long since I had a massage and god knows I need one. I love getting my nails done too, it’s such a simple thing that can make you feel so fancy!
Alice Xx

This was a great read, self-care is important, work those beauty treatments into your schedule dear. I’m planning to get a fresh manicure and a much-needed haircut to add an extra sparkle to the festive season. Loved seeing all the nail options, great colours and designs.